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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

2015: Year in Review

I enjoyed answering Jamie's (The Perpetual Page Turner) End of the Year Survey in past years and decided to join in again this year. I did alter some of the questions and subtracted a few to make it my own.

Some fun meaningless statistics:(Much of what I read was falls under more than one genre. Here, I count them under the genre I most identified with the book).

63 of the 76 books I read in 2015 were written by women.Month I Read the Most Books: October (11)Months I Read the Least Books: March (3) & April (3)Number of books with "Girl" in the title: 4

1. Best book read in 2015?

Tuesday I shared my Top Ten Books Favorite Books Read in 2015. At the top of the list was a book I have re-read a handful of times: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I am happy to say it remains one of my all-time favorite books to this day.

2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t?A book that turned out to be disappointing wasBearing It Allby Vonnie Davis. I enjoyed the other two books in the series which I read earlier in the year, but this one just fell flat for me.Another is Lena Coakley's Worlds of Ink and Shadow, which I had high hopes for as I loved her other book.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2015?Eleanor & Parkby Rainbow Rowell. I wasn't sure this book would be for me, but I ended up loving it (I listened to the audio version).

4. Book you read in 2015 that you recommended to people most in 2015?A Man Called Oveby Fredrick Backman was probably my most recommended book last year. That and Sharon Bolton's Little Black Lies. If you haven't read either one, you really must. Don't wait.

5. Best series you discovered in 2015?The Others series by Anne Bishop. I read three books in the series and there are no words to express just how much I love this series.

6. New-to-me authors you discovered in 2015 and hope to read more by?This year, my number of new-to-me authors out-numbered the authors I had read before. And nearly all of them I would like to read more by. These are just the top twelve that I look forward to revisiting in the future, but are by no means the only ones:Tessa ArlenVirginia BoeckerSharon BoltonJennifer ChiaveriniPaula HawkinsCatriona McPhersonAmy StewartArt TaylorRaeAnne ThayneLauren WilligCat WintersRich Zahradnik

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone?

Wet Silence: Poems About Hindu Widows by Sweta Srivastava Vikram was a beautiful and moving collection of poems. I also really enjoyed Rebecca Foust's Paradise Drive, which was both witty and real. I do not often read poetry, and reviewing poetry falls way outside my comfort zone. I always feel as if I will miss something in the meaning.

8. Most unputdownable book of the year?Hidden by Karen E. Olson. I could not stay away from this book once I started reading it.9. Most action-packed books of the year?Both A Fistful of Fireby Rebecca Chastain and Shady Crossby James Hankins were nearly nonstop action. So much fun!

10. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read In the Next Couple Years?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Ove fromA Man Called Oveby Fredrik Backman who, although a curmudgeon, was such a sweetheart, and Cara from Alexandra Sokoloff's Huntress series because, although she plays outside the lines, she is extremely resilient, fights for the vulnerable, and is one kick-ass woman.

12. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?

The Time Traveler's Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger. Despite numerous and rather emphatic recommendations, I did not read this one until it arrived on my doorstep through my Postal Mail Book Club. I had no more excuses. I ended up really enjoying it, even though I wasn't completely thrilled with the end.

13. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Investigative Reporter Coleridge Taylor from Last WordsandDrop Dead Punk by Rich Zahradnik because he is a stand up guy. Troubled, yes, but he pursues the truth regardless of whether it means he will get the story, and he has a good heart.

14. Hidden Gems Of The Year?

Magic of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain ~ This was such a great novella. I hope there will be more, full-length books featuring these characters.

Another book that fits this category, but in a different way, is Jan Ellison's A Small Indiscretion, which left me with such a heavy feeling at the end. It wasn't because of the ending, but rather the entire tone and subject matter of the novel. It took me a few days to shake the impact this book had on me.

16. Book Most Beautifully Written?

I was really struck with the writing of Cecily Wong's Diamond Head. Such a wonderful book that brought me to tears.

21. Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting?The Others series by Anne Bishop wow'ed me. The world Anne Bishop created was so well done; I hated to leave.

22.Which book made me smile and smile and smile?A Cold Christmas Creek Story by RaeAnne Thayne. Most of my Christmas-themed books this year probably would fit in this category, but this particular one by Thayne especially.

23.Book that made you cry?What book didn't make me cry? I'm such a cry baby. It would be easier to answer this question if you asked me what book didn't make me cry. Seriously.24. Book that made me laugh myself right off the couch?Sandra Boynton's CHOCOLATE: The Consuming Passion. This was such a funny book. The section on white chocolate was one of my favorites.

25. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of 2015?I failed miserably at my goals this year. I do not know why I even make them.Reading Goals:Read more nonfiction - I read two as compared to none the previous year. In a way, I suppose that counts. Still not great though.Read more diversely - This didn't happen either, at least not as much as I would have liked--although I did keep track this year, whereas in previous years, I did not. One step closer.Re-discover favorite authors - A few, but not the way I had in mind when I made this goal.Catch up on at least three favorite series - Yeah, no. I did start a couple new series I'm all caught up in, if it matters.Read a book whose author's surname begins with an X. -Another no.Blogging Goals:Make Mouse's Corner a more regular feature on my blog, including guest posts from authors, fellow bloggers and readers on topics related to children's books and reading. - I think I posted fewer Mouse's Corners this year than last. Best laid plans and all that, right?One good thing that came out of 2015, was the Postal Book Club I joined. I do not seem to do well when it comes to group reads, but I had no problem keeping up with the Postal Book Club picks, and I had such fun. Each member selects a book and mails it along with a journal at the end of December to their specified person on the club member list. We have two months to read the book, journal our thoughts, and then we mail the book to the next person on the list. I read some wonderful books this year as a result:Be Safe I Love Youby Cara Hoffman (my pick)A Man Called Ove by Fredrick BackmanPeace Like a River by Leif EngerThe Lovers Set Down Their Spoons by Heather A. SlomskiThe Time Traveler's Wifeby Audrey NiffeneggerThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

26. Looking ahead to 2016, do you have any goals for reading or your blog? Or life in general?I joined two challenges (What's In a Name? Reading Challenge and Clean Out Your E-Reads Challenge) as well as The TBR Triple Dog Dare for this next year. Both the Dare and COYER will have me focusing on getting caught up with my review books that are sitting on my TBR shelf for at least the first three months of the year. Hopefully I can get a lot accomplished during that time. Mostly though, I am looking forward to reading some great books.Reading and Blogging Oriented Goals:
1. Keep track of last sentences in 2016. While first sentences can play a significant role in drawing a reader in, the final sentence also plays an significant role. It is our last impression of the book. I am still on the fence about posting them on my blog (if I did, it would be in an end of the year last sentence type post--not meant to be included in my "Bookish Thoughts" posts). I would not want to spoil a book for anyone.

2. Make more time to read. I hope to do this by turning to a book instead of spending too much time on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. You will still find me in both places, but hopefully (for my sake) not as much. I also want to pick reading over spending an hour playing Sudoku or CrossMe or some such game on my phone or tablet. At least most of the time. I get that sometimes my brain needs to do some brainless (or near brainless) activity. My goal is to really make better use of any possible reading time I have. (Notice how I did not mention television and Netflix? Yeah, I'm not ready to go there yet.)3. Make Mouse's Corner a more regular feature on my blog. I would also like to start tracking what I read with my daughter, but I am not sure I want to make that piece an actual goal. It's just something I want to work towards.

As for life goals . . . Well, there's the usual. Eat better, lose weight. Those seem to be ongoing battles, er, goals.

** ** ** **

This year has been one full of challenges as well as the building of good memories. I am excited and a lot nervous about what 2016 will hold for me and my family. In some ways, it has already gotten off to a rocky start and will prove to be a challenging year. On the more bookish front, I am excited and not even a little bit nervous about what the New Year will bring. I hope you will join me for another year of book talk, commiseration and celebration of life.

Thank you for the support you have given me this year and in the many before it. I am glad to share my bookish journey with you and look forward to continuing to be a part of yours.

Love that sweet little picture! Wendy, here's hoping that 2016 will have lots of good surprises and much joy. I'm so pleased that you are still around and sharing your life, both personal and reading, with all of us. Hugs!

Kathy - I wasn't trying to read more by one gender or the other either. It's interesting to see how that turned out, isn't it? I think some of it, for me, had to do with my reading choices. I read more romance than usual and more often than not the authors are female. Happy New Year to you and your family as well!

Oh that picture is wonderful! I haven't read Eleanor and Park but I want too. I'm pleased to hear that you really enjoyed it. I love the books I've read by Rainbow Rowell but have been a little nervous to try her YA books because it's outside of my usual genres but I'm trying to stretch my reading boundaries a bit for 2016 so I'm really going to try to get to it. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Wendy! I loved reading about your year in books. I think one thing I particularly want to do as well is make more time for books. Somehow I get caught up doing all sorts of things and before I know it, my reading time gets so limited. Here's to a great year in books!

Beth F - I finally decided I liked it even though I had my doubts at first. I can almost feel that heaviness I felt after I first finished reading it when I think back on it. . . I hope you have a Happy New Year as well!

You had a great reading year! I need to read Jane Eyre, like asap. I feel the same way about the Jan Ellison book and I've added the Cecily Wong to my TBR. I need to make more time for reading too, but with social media always there it can be hard. Don't get me started on Pinterest...lol. I get sucked into the Pinterest vortex so easily because there's books, quotes, crochet and recipes to look at and Pin. Cute pic of them waiting for the new year!

Oh that picture of Mouse and Parker waiting for 2016 is adorable! I'm hoping to work in more reading time this year as well. For me, it will be a matter of moving out of the room the television is on in. I'm not necessarily even interested in what's on but it's so distracting.

Lisa - I love that photo too. :-) I've started moving to the living room/library when I read and the television is set to something I'm not interested in watching, and so Mouse now calls it "Mommy's Reading Room." I love that.

Love this wrap-up Wendy! I hope that 2016 proves to be your best year yet! I would like to see more Mouse, but I know from experience that's the first thing that gets pushed back when there's not enough time. Why can't Santa bring us more hours in a day?

What a terrific post! I loved reading all your answers to the survey and the other tidbits you shared. I ended up creating a list! Thanks! :) Also, the pic of Mouse & Parker is adorable. I did a Postal Book Club once, but it wasn't anything special. Yours sounds good.

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At the age of five, Literary Feline (aka Wendy) was diagnosed as a fabulavore. Due to the low story content of movies and television, she has required a steady supply of books to provide her sustenance. She currently resides in California with her loving husband, adorable daughter, and two affectionate and sassy cats. Literary Feline has broadened her nutritional sources by reviewing books. Please note: Literary Feline is not a bibliovore. She's not eating the books for goodness' sake.